Summary: POLICY ON CONFLICTS OF COMMITMENT AND INTEREST
POLICY ON CONFLICTS OF COMMITMENT AND INTEREST
I. Preamble
Active participation by academic staff members in external activities that enhance their professional skills or
constitute public service can be beneficial to the University as well as to the individual. Because such activities
can lead to conflicts of commitment or interest with regard to one's University responsibilities, the need exists
for a general framework against which the propriety and advisability of non-University activities can be
measured and monitored.
This University of Illinois Policy on Conflicts of Commitment and Interest provides such a framework and
identifies procedures for consultation and advice on conflicts of commitment or interest matters, for resolution
of situations in which a conflict may exist, and for approval of exceptions when warranted. The Policy makes
every effort to balance the integrity and interests of the University of Illinois with the integrity and interests of
individual academic staff members. To that end, the Policy attempts not only to identify and eliminate or
manage actual conflicts of commitment or interest but, whenever possible, to prevent even the appearance of
conflicts. The Policy provides for remedies to manage conflicts constructively and for sanctions when the
Policy is violated.
This Policy implements an Illinois law requiring University faculty members to obtain prior written approval
before engaging in remunerated private consulting or research for external persons or organizations. It also
implements various policies set forth in the University Statutes and The General Rules Concerning University
Organization and Procedure. Finally, the Policy accommodates federal regulations designed to protect the